Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8393, Thomas Edson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Edson Thomas
S. 8393
carded
CONTENTS

14305 14305
16372
New York
Thomas Edson
of Ulster Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Cobb of the Regt commanded by Col. Whitney in the Mass. militia for 11 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of May 1833 and sent to C. Davis Tilly Creek
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $73.32 Semi-annual allowance ending Septembr 18.33
$91.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. I. Williams Clerk. Book Vol. 4 Page 18

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of New York Otsego County ss On this 15 th day of October 1832. Personally appeared John Cook, before the Judges of the County Court of Otsego County of the State of New York, Thomas Edson, a resident of Otsego, in the County of Otsego, and State of New York, aged Seventy Nine Years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. The Col. name was Whitney, Lt. Col. Nathaniel Sedon who lived in the Town of Farmington & Hunsdale, the County of Bristol, State of Massachusetts. Capt. Silas Cobb, of the Town of Boston, adjoining Farmington, in the aforesaid State, Lieut. Edmond Hoaggs lived in the same Town with the Captain. I volunteered and entered the service about the first of May 1775. and left the service about the first of January 1776. Served Eight months, we was stationed at Roxbury Dorchester & Squantum, along the line from Rox- bury to Squantum, in the State of Massachusetts. has had a Discharge from Captain Cobb. but it is now lost, has no documentary Evidence of his service, and has not been able to procure the affidavit of any other person as to his service except that of Nathaniel Sedon. of Westmoreland Oneida County as the said affidavit herewith sent, will

As at 2
more fully show. in ~~~~~ That he enlisted as a sergeant under Captain Israel Grow and Lt. Isaac White of the Town of Norton, Massachusetts State, as a volunteer, about the first day of April 1777. and served thru months , in the State of Rhode Island, at Gogins Ferry, Providence, & Point Judith Point, while at Providence General Prescott was taken prisoner off New Port island and brought into Providence he Capt. Boston. was ordered to build a fort to prevent the British from coming up the river to destroy the place. Was on guard over John Hart, who was hung as a traitor, - from Providence was ordered to Point Judith Point, on the lines to guard the inhabitants and got ship left there by a party, who went over to the Enemy, that he served thru months and was discharged, did not receive any written discharge, has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person living, who can testify as to his service, that he lived in the Town of Easton in the State of Massachusetts about 20 miles from Providence R.I. - Thinks Gen. Sullivan commanded that Division
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Thomas Lathrop. Clerk
Thos. Edson
And the said court do hereby declare this opinion, that the above Applicant was a revolutionary soldier.
Owego County N.Y.
We J. B. Potter a Clergyman residing in the Town & County of Owego & Elisha Foote residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Edson who has known & subscribed to the above application, that we believe him to be 79 years of age, that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion herein & subscribed this 4th day of August 1870 Owego N.Y.
John B. Potter
Elisha Foote
Elisha Foote Judge of Owego County Court

State of New York
Otsego County ss.
I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Elias D. Lord, before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Judge of Otsego County Courts, and duly authorized to administer oaths: And further, that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed thereto to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office the 19 th day of October 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk

Horace Lathrop. Clerk
Thos. Edson
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the said court of the  the City of Albany of the State of New York do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the Application of Thomas Edson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. the day of November 1832.

Interrogatory pronounced to the Applicant by the Court. Interrogatory 1 st
Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. Born in the Year 1753, in the Town of Bridgewater Massachusetts State
Int g 2. Have You any record of Your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer. I have a Record of My age in the Town of Hoston
Int g 3. Where were You living when called into Service; were You drafted, did You volunteer, or were You a substitute? Where have You lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do You live now?
Answer. lived in the town of Hoston, lived in Lapeerborough Mal. Now live in Otsego State of New York
Int g 4. How were You called into Service; were You drafted, did You volunteer, or were You a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. Volunteer,
Int g 5. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops, where You served; such Continental and militia Regiments as You can recollect, and the General Circumstances of Your service.
Answer. Col. Leonard, Capt Silas Cobb

Int. 6
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it —
Answer Recd. a Discharge from Captain Silas Cobb which is now lost —
Int. 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution —
Answer " Elisha Foote, Daniel Johnson and others,

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the court further finds that it appears to them that Job Potter who has signed the within certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Otsego State of New York, and that Elisha Hale Esq., who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the court at Otsego County Com. Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the said court, in the application of Thomas Edson for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal this 19 day of Oct 1832
Horace Lathrop By J. R. Cady Deputy
Thomas Edson

State of New York Onondaga County ss
On this 3 rd day of July 1832 personally appeared Nathaniel Severting of Westmoreland in said County aged twenty three years who being first duly sworn, does declare and say that he knows Thomas Nelson of Astoria in the County of Astoria and did also know him in the Revolutionary War and that he knows of his serving at Roxbury Dorchester and Agawam in the Massachusetts Provincial Line under the command of Col Nathaniel Leonard Capt Silas Babb, and that he was enlisted about the first of May 1775 and was discharged about the first of January 1776 and served 8 months
Nath Severting
State of New York Onondaga County ss
On this 3 rd day of July 1832 before me personally appeared Nathaniel Severting the above named witness to me known as a Man of truth and veracity who made oath to the truth of the above affidavit with ————— Gerrit Smith Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Clerks Office Chenango County ss: I George Brown Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that Truman Enos Esquire by me whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date the same a justice of the peace in & for said County Commissioned and sworn and duly authorized by Law to act as such and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Truman Enos and verily believe the signature "Truman Enos" subscribed to the said Affidavit is the juster hand writing and signature of the said Truman Enos.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County this 16 th day of August A.D. 1832.
Geo Brown Clerk Joseph B Read Dist. Clk.
Thomas Colburn
10372
Br. Janis

Thomas Edison Otsago 60 New York.
Admitted 11 mrs for $36 66
C. Lewis Eng Phy. D.ick Otsago 100 New York.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Edson. Otsugo Co New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 1778 " 8 " Priv Capt S. { Webb } Lt. Col. { Webb } Capt. { Webb } Lieut. { Webb } Genl. White { Genl. { Genl. { Genl. { None Mass? 70 years Boston Mass? One Witness   Apr 1779 " 3 " Sergt Capt. { Lieut. { Lieut. { Lieut. { Genl. { Genl. { Genl. { Genl. { Rhode I.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guardian.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[1] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[2] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph P. Kavanagh Esq. etc

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
December 22, 1924
Mrs. Carrie B. Patterson 705 Dayton Ave., Saint Paul, Minn.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8393 it appears that Thomas Edson was born in 1753 in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
While living in Easton or Norton, Massachusetts he enlisted May 1, 1775, served as a private in Captain Silas Cobb's Massachusetts Company and was discharged January 2, 1776.
He enlisted April 1, 1777 and served three months as a Sergeant in Captain Israel Trow's Company, Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832 while a resident of Otsego, Otsego County, New York.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Date of death not on AB

New Way
8393
INVALID.
1924-Dec-22-Will to Mrs. Carrie A. Patterson MMAT I-
File No. 8393
Thomas Nelson
did Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 122 , Page 110
[Arrangement of 1870.]

St. Paul - December 3 - 1924
The Bureau of Pensions of The Revolutionary War:-
Will you kindly send me what data is necessary for my application for membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, in regard to the pension of
Thomas Edson, of the Massachusetts Continental Line, enrolled as a pensioner on May 18th. 1833?
I thank you.
(Mrs.) Carrie B. Patterson 705 Dayton Ave. St. Paul Minnesota